Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
– Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

Stacking W’s! That’s the phrase former Army football coach Rich Ellerson used to encourage the West Point cadets on his team. Coach Ellerson took over the Black Knights in 2009 and dedicated himself to reviving the historic program. To say coaching football at a service academy is challenging would be an understatement. Playing football is only a small part of the cadet’s day. Juggling the academic and military training can be overwhelming, both mentally and physically. Coach Ellerson encouraged his players to not only accept the challenge, but to embrace it. By “stacking W’s”, Ellerson wanted his players to perform all their activities with a winning attitude. He pushed them to win in the barracks, win on the parade field, and win during summer sessions—to be a cadet in everything they did. Ellerson said, “Winning is a habit and you’ve got to do it all day. You can’t just flip a switch on Saturday.” Great advice from a wise man.

What about “stacking W’s” in our faith? What would that look like? When asked how we prioritize our lives, we usually respond by listing faith, family, career, health, and on down the line. That can be difficult. When we start putting our lives in categories and ranking importance, it can get a little messy. It doesn’t take long for faith, career, family and health to come in conflict. One solution might be to commit them all to the Lord. Why not put God at the center of our family, our career, our health and every compartment of our life? Why would we want the “God switch” flipped only on Sunday? What about letting God be in control seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day? Why not have His power all the time? Have you committed all your activities to God? What’s keeping you from “stacking W’s with Jesus?

Lord, I want to commit more of my life to You. Show me the areas I need to change so I can be obedient to Your plans through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.